Ainsworth strange situation

• What type of experiment was Mary Ainsworth's study?

  Lab experiment
• What was the purpose of the Strange Situation experiment?

  To measure children's attachment quality
• In what year did Mary Ainsworth conduct her observations?

  1969
• What was the role of the two-way mirror in the study?

  To observe children without them knowing
• How many episodes are there in the Strange Situation procedure?

  7 episodes
• How long does the Strange Situation last?

  21 minutes
• What behavior indicates a good attachment in children?

  Proximity seeking to the caregiver
• What does exploration and secure-base behavior indicate?

  Child feels safe to explore with caregiver
• What is stranger anxiety?

  Anxiety when a stranger approaches
• What does separation anxiety refer to?

  Protest when the caregiver leaves
• What does response to reunion measure?

  Child's reaction to caregiver's return
• What are the 7 episodes of the Strange Situation procedure?

  1. Child encouraged to explore
  2. Stranger enters and interacts
  3. Caregiver returns, stranger leaves
  4. Caregiver leaves child alone
  5. Stranger returns
  6. Caregiver returns and reunites
  7. Tests separation and reunion behaviors
• How many types of attachment did Ainsworth identify?

  3 types
• What percentage of children were classified as secure attachment?

  60-75%
• Describe the behavior of securely attached children.

  Explore happily, seek caregiver for comfort
• What is the separation anxiety level in securely attached children?

  Moderate, some easy to soothe
• How do securely attached children behave during reunion?

  Enthusiastic, seeks comfort easily
• What percentage of children were classified as insecure-avoidant attachment?

  20-25%
• Describe the behavior of insecure-avoidant children.

  Explore freely, show little reaction to caregiver
• What is the separation anxiety level in insecure-avoidant children?

  Indifferent, little response to separation
• How do insecure-avoidant children behave during reunion?

  Avoid contact, do not seek proximity
• What percentage of children were classified as insecure-resistant attachment?

  3%
• Describe the behavior of insecure-resistant children.

  Seek greater proximity, explore the least
• What is the separation anxiety level in insecure-resistant children?

  Immediate and intense distress when separated
• How do insecure-resistant children behave during reunion?

  Seek and reject comfort, conflicting behavior
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Ainsworth's study?

  Strengths:

  • High inter-observer reliability
  • Highly operationalized
  • Consistent findings in later studies

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Low population validity
  • Categories not always applicable
  • Culturally biased
  • Low internal validity
• What does high external validity in Ainsworth's study imply?

  Securely attached babies have better adult relationships
• What limitation did Main and Cassidy (1998) identify?

  Disorganized behavior as a further category
• Why is Ainsworth's study considered culturally biased?

  It reflects American societal values
• What does low internal validity in the Strange Situation indicate?

  Measures only one attachment security